MINING ENERGY INDABA SET FOR JUNE 22

Mon, 12 Jun 2017 09:34:10 +0000

By Mailesi Banda

THE 7th annual Zambia International Mining and Energy Conference and Exhibition (ZIMEC) will take place in Lusaka from 22 to 23 June 2017.

The conference, expected to discuss the strategies of the growth of a diversified economy, is supported by Government, Zambia Chamber of Mines, Zambia Development Agency and Zambia Chambers of Commerce and Industry as well as the Zambia Professional Trade Events.

With 70 percent of Zambia’s earnings currently being dependent on copper mining, the Government aims to diversify mining activities and strive towards a sustainable and viable mining sector.

According to ZIMEC, Zambia has been known to have copper reserves of some 20 million tonnes and is the ninth largest copper producing nation in the world. At the same time it is internationally recognized as a major producer of high quality emeralds, aquamarines, amethyst and tourmalines.

This year’s conference will be held under the theme ‘‘Mining and Energy Development in Zambia – Increasing Economic Activities’’ and it is aimed at promoting a wider use of renewable energy. Renewable energy is said to play an important role in the mining sector, leading to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) signing a second mandate for its Scaling Solar programme with the Zambian government in a World Bank- organised auction program.   According to the mandate, between 250 megawatts and 350 megawatts of electricity would be procured under a subsequent procurement round, with the IFC’s mandate covering up to 500 MW with the end goal of Zambia providing Africa’s cheapest solar power.

This is intended to make the Zambian electricity system to be diversified and reduce its vulnerability to climatic changes. Notwithstanding considerable untapped hydro potential of over 4,000 MW, the share of non-hydro technologies has to be increased and Zambia aims to take a strong and dynamic path to develop this.

The sessions will include topics on building an enabling legal frameworks for sustainable mining and energy in Zambia, financing energy and mining projects opportunities and challenges.

Other topics will focus on power generation in Zambia, looking at hydro power and alternative renewable energy sources, creating long term sustainability of the mining sectors and on the mainstreaming of Zambia’s mineral resources for greater economic development.